1906 Locomobile Type E Touring

This 1906 Locomobile Type E Five Passenger Touring was discovered in a Michigan junkyard during the Second World War. It was purchased and rescued from the scrap yard. The prior owner of this Locomobile had been a farmer who had fitted it with a flatbed for hauling produce to market. The purchaser contacted the farmer and was able to acquire the rear body, doors, and seats, which were stored in the barn. A restoration began in 1947 and lingered until completion in 1963. It was named Best of Show at AACA National Shows in Minneapolis and Lake Forest, Illinois.

Since the restoration, the car has been well maintained and treated to servicing to keep it in good mechanical order. It was recently fitted with a new black top. It is one of the few remaining Type E models in existence and possibly the first to cross the auction block. In 2007 the car was brought to the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $125,000 - $175,000. It was offered without reserve.

The new owner would become the fourth owner, as the farmer was the second owner, and the individual who rescued the car from the junkyard was the third (Fourth if the junkyard owner is to be included).

Bidding was energetic and a high bid of $176,000, including the buyer's premium, was enough to secure new ownership.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007